Family memories of Southfield Road in Worthing

John Newnham emailed in to share his memories of Southfield Road after reading Graham Forshaw’s article about the road, in Looking Back on December 19.

John said: “The picture (right) and article about Southfield Road were fascinating and it is interesting to see the vista of the road, looking wide and empty, whereas in 2013 it is not possible to squeeze even the smallest car into a parking slot.

John Newnham's father in c1934

“This road has a particular place in our family history as my father was born in Southfield Road, where my grandparents lived.

“After my grandfather passed away, my father’s sister and her family moved four doors eastwards, from number 63 to number 71, where my cousin, Vera, still lives.

“Vera must be one of the longest residents of Southfield Road, and certainly lives in a house which has been in the family for about a century – none of us are sure when number 71 was first occupied by my grandparents.”

John also sent in the family photos below, which were taken in Southfield Road.

He said: “Although neither are taken with the road being the main feature of the photograph, they show sufficient detail to see the development of the trees and the lack of vehicles, even in 1947.

“The mention of Carter’s Bakery, and Highfield and Oaklands dairy, stirred memories as my father worked for both; indeed my father was delivering milk, then for Lillywhites (below), before he joined up with the Royal Sussex Regiment in 1939. We think the photograph was taken in the mid-thirties.

“Following my father’s return from his years as a PoW, he worked briefly in the bakery before being tempted to join the workforce in the dairy, which then offered a marginally better wage.

“My father continued in this employment for the same dairy – whether it be called Highfield & Oaklands, Highfield & Mortimers, South Coast Dairies or Unigate – until his retirement at the age of 65.”

The other photo, at the bottom of the page, was taken in 1947, and shows John’s cousins, who lived in Southfield Road for their entire lives.

If you would like to share photos and memories of growing up in Worthing, Shoreham or Littlehampton, get in touch.